A basic definition of a ghost is a human or animal apparition that can be seen but can’t be physically present. When several unexplained experiences happen in one location, a haunting occurs. Hauntings are often associated with a specific location.
The Tax Assessor’s Office can give you historical information about places in your area. The city or county’s historical society can also be a source of rich information about the area’s past.
The importance of this is that, while residual hauntings are more dangerous, they are also easier to detect when you go on a ghost hunt. If you decide to find a residual haunting, make sure to take extra safety precautions. These precautions might mean wearing goggles, gloves, extra padding under your clothes, etc. Always carry a safety kit with you. Often, people mistake dust or creaks in the floorboard for ghosts. You have to be extremely critical in determining whether what you see/hear is a ghost.
A paranormal society does more than investigate hauntings. They work with the community to help those that have experienced a paranormal event. [6] X Research source Paranormal societies will be able to help you determine the best places to look for ghosts and what exactly to look for in a haunted location.
Don’t go ghost hunting alone. Take some friends with you. Let someone who isn’t going know where your group is investigating. This way, you will have protection, as well as another pair of critical eyes. Make sure you aren’t trespassing on anyone’s property. If you’re going to be in an outdoor location, such as a graveyard, observe the posted rules. If you want to investigate private property, contact the owners to ask for permission. If they say no, then find another spot. Visit the location during the day to get a feel for the place. You may want to plan an escape route in case of emergencies.
Make sure you have a completely charged cellphone with you. However, keep your phone turned off so it doesn’t interfere with any audio equipment you may be using.
Take turns investigating different areas to give everyone in your group an opportunity for discovery. Ghost hunting can take a considerable amount of time, and it’s possible you may not get any real results. Keep an open mind and know that most of what you see is the result of a natural occurrence. Ask witnesses about their experiences with the paranormal at the location you chose. Having these conversations can narrow down your focus so that you aren’t looking everywhere for ghosts; you can focus on a couple of rooms.
Thermal scanners are great for detecting temperature variations in a room. Place one in a room where the temperature is room temperature about 70 degrees. It will be easier to detect fluctuations here rather than in a cold basement or hot attic. You can use motion detectors as well. Place them on the wall about chest level. Once more, make sure that there is no obstruction.
If you discover anything odd, compare it to your other notes. If you hear strange sounds in the audio, note the time. Cross-reference it with any video you may have recorded in the same area. Look at any photos taken at the same time.
Not everything odd will be paranormal. Most things you encounter will be natural occurrences. Don’t jump to conclusions just because you want to discover something.
Go back and talk to some of the eyewitnesses. See if what you discovered matches what they have seen in the past. Try different locations nearby. Set up cameras and sensors around the grounds. Go to nearby abandoned homes and see if the paranormal go from site to site.
Keep your eyes open without blinking for 15-20 seconds. You want to spend time just staying calm and looking. Search in hot button areas. Don’t stare for long periods of time unless you have a suspicion (sound, haunted history, gut feeling, etc. ) that a ghost is present.
Ask them basic questions like “Why are you here?” and “What is your name?” Give them a minute to respond. Ghosts might not respond or may react in unusual ways. They might respond by making a sound or creating more movement through the shadows.
You can also detect images using your mind’s eye through your imagination. Your spirit works to create images in front of you, which could be apparitions. Sit down and let your mind wander as you are in the haunted house. Daydreaming can relax your mind’s eye and allow it to be more susceptible to ghostly input. Ghosts also like to influence memories. Think of some of your now dead, older relatives, such as your grandparents or great-grandparents. Ghosts may flash before your mind’s eye when they pick up on this.
